Featured Books The Berenstain Bears and the Blame GameThe Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note

The Berenstain Bears and the Homework HassleThe Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TeasingThe Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore)

The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the TeamThe Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand

The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need

ESSENTIALSonCharacter Education

ESSENTIALSCharacter Education

About This GuideCharacter education promotes an environment where all peopleare treated with respect and dignity, with students takingresponsibility for their behavior.This kind of education has madea huge comeback with many programs being implemented to help with the promoting of

values and with making good decisions when disagreementsarise.Through their books, Stan and Jan Berenstain havehelped to instill these good qualities in children through the Berenstain Bears’ characters.

Whether the topic is bullying, teasing, telling the truth, orlending a helping hand, the Berenstain Bears always show a foundation of good values. Encouraging such traits asresponsibility, perseverance, caring, self-discipline, citizenship,honesty, courage, fairness, and respect promotes empatheticbehavior, making any situation better.This guide is the perfect resource for stimulating thoughts and discussion to implement character education in your daily activities.

Making the Connection

Teasing BullyingHonesty

Peer PressureAcceptance

© 2003 by Berenstain Enterprises, Inc.

More character education books The Berenstain Bears and the Bully

The Berenstain Bears and the Messy RoomThe Berenstain Bears’ Report Card Trouble

The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with FriendsThe Berenstain Bears and the Truth

The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and SenseThe Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners

The Berenstain Bears Get in a FightThe Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies

The Berenstain Bears Go to SchoolThe Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers

The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Watermelon MoneyThe Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School

Honesty Respect

ResponsibilityFairness Perseve

The Berenstain Bears’ New NeighborsAbout This BookA new family moves in across the street from the Berenstain Bears. See how the Bears convince Papa Bear to befriend the Pandas even if they’re different.

Respect—Discuss the importance of respecting others andappreciating different beliefs, behaviors, and appearances.Discuss how boring we all would be if we were the same.Ask students to brainstorm some things about themselvesthat they are proud of and are different from anyone else.Reproduce the “Celebrating Our Differences” sheet, thenhave students write and illustrate how they are different.Collect to make a book and share with the class.

The Berenstain Bears and the Blame Game About This BookWho’s to blame? The Berenstain Bears learn what really matters is how we work together to fix the problem.

Responsibility—Discuss the importance of being responsible for one’s own actions and facing the consequences for those actions. For every action there is aconsequence, one that often needs a solution.What causedthe window and the vase to break? How did the BerenstainBears solve the problem of the broken vase and the window? Use the reproducible “The Berenstain BearsExplore Cause and Effect” sheet to help extend this lesson.

The Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping HandAbout This BookWhen Mama concludes that there’s too much “Me, me, me!”in Brother and Sister’s behavior, she encourages them tohelp elderly Widow McGrizz to see that there are rewardsin giving a helping hand to those less fortunate.

Caring—In the story Brother and Sister only think of themselves—they even cringe when Mama Bear offers theirassistance with cleaning Widow McGrizz’s attic. However,once they start sorting through all the interesting items,they find that helping other can be fun and giving at thesame time. Have the students brainstorm different ways they can help their neighbors or community, then chooseone to have as a class project.

The Berenstain Bears and the Homework HassleAbout This BookMama and Papa Bear receive a letter from Brother Bear’steacher reporting that he has not been completing his homework assignments.They soon realize that there’s a whole lot of activities distracting Brother’s attention.

Self-Discipline—Brother Bear and Papa Bear both have difficulty keeping up with their work.What lesson did BrotherBear learn by going to Grandpa and Grandma’s house? Whatlesson did Brother learn after seeing the BRS agent speakingwith Papa? Do you think they both learned their lesson?Define the term self-discipline, as doing something that youare supposed to, even if there are sometimes you may notwant to.Ask students if they put things off that they shouldn’tand have them give examples.Then as a class comes up withsome strategies to help fellow classmates find a way to exercise self-discipline. Use the “Berenstain Bears Help withHomework” sheet to keep track of assignments and chores.

The Berenstain Bears and the In-CrowdAbout This BookQueenie McBear, the bossy new she-cub in town, tries to take over by putting other cubs down. Sister Bear decides not to give in to Queenie’s peer pressure tactics.

Courage—Discuss the pressures one goes through in hopes to keep up with the in-crowd. It takes courage tostand up to others, even when the others are some of yourfriends. Mama Bear tries helping by buying Sister Bear a newdesigner outfit, hoping that she will fit in with Queenie.Whywas that not the best solution? How did Sister gain thatinsight and how does she overcome the need to fit in withthe in-crowd? Using the “Berenstain Bears Stomp Out PeerPressure” worksheet, have students think of situations wherethere may be pressure to do something they don’t want to doand write them inside the circles.Tell students to use thespokes to record ways to handle each situation.

The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note About This BookSister Bear loves school except for gym class. But when a slight twist of fate gives her the chance to sit on the sidelines, will Sister stretch the truth instead of her arms?

© 2003 by Berenstain Enterprises, Inc.

For the ultimate teaching resources, visit us online at www.randomhouse.com/teachers© 2003 by Berenstain Enterprises, Inc.

rance Self-discipline Courage Caring Citizenship

Honesty—Define honesty and discuss as a class why beinghonest is important.Was Sister being honest with TeacherJane by using the note Mama gave her even when her ankle was feeling better? Ask students to write in their journalsabout a similar situation where they chose to be honest with another person. How did that make them feel?

The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore)About This BookWhen careless citizens pose a threat to Bear Country’s environment, Brother and Sister Bear form the Earthsavers Club to deliver a timely message about polluting and wasteful ways.

Citizenship—Brother and Sister learn the importance of ecology, conservation, and recycling. Define these terms then as a class, then brainstorm some different ways they help stop pollution. Have students make posters to help encourage people not to pollute and display them for the whole school to see.

The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the TeamAbout This BookWhen backyard sluggers Brother and Sister join the BearCountry Cub League, they get real uniforms and play on abaseball field. But can Mama’s advice help them prepare toovercome the pressure and competition?

Perseverance—Brother and Sister put in a lot of time to tryout for the Bear Country Cub League, and even the missedground balls don’t stop them from trying.Ask the studentswhy they think Brother and Sister continued practicing. Defineperseverance and how important it is to keep trying, no matterhow difficult the task may become. Have students write andillustrate an experience they have had that was very challenging,but they succeeded only because of their hard work.

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TeasingAbout This BookBrother Bear is a master at teasing—until the tables are turned and he’s the one being heckled for being the principal’s pet.And when Brother finally understands thatteasing isn’t just mean, it’s also dangerous, he actually decides to stick up for the new kid at school.

Fairness—Brother loves teasing Sister, even though heknows she hates it.When Brother in turn gets teased once he becomes Mr. Honeycomb’s special messenger,some would think he got what was fair or “what comesaround, goes around.” Ask students what they think aboutteasing and if it is fair to tease back. Discuss how Brotherdoes what is fair when he finds a way to stop the othersfrom teasing him.

The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in NeedAbout This BookMama Bear convinces the family that cleaning out the house can not only simplify their cluttered lives, but can also benefit those who are in need!

Caring—Discuss the importance of helping those in need.Review the different charitable actions of the BerenstainBears in the story. Ask the class to brainstorm things they could do to help those in need. Choose a project to workon as a class.

Internet Resources

Goodcharacter.com — www.goodcharacter.comFree character education resources. Curriculum materials, discussion questions, and more!

National Character Education Centerwww.ethicsusa.comIncludes information about national seminars.

Character Counts! — www.charactercounts.orgCharacter Counts! is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsec-tarian coalition of schools, communities, and nonprofitorganizations working to advance character education.

The Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character — www.bu.edu/education/caecThis network is a place for students, teachers, schools,and communities to facilitate character education.

For the ultimate teaching resources, visit us online at www.randomhouse.com/teachers

Random House Children’s Books • School and Library Marketing • 1745 Broadway • New York, NY 10019 • BN 589 • 1/04 • Printed in the U.S.A.

Read all the Berenstain BearS First Time Books!

The Berenstain Bears and Baby Makes Five 0-679-88960-4 • GLB: 0-679-98960-9The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream 0-394-87341-6The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit 0-394-87340-8The Berenstain Bears and the Big Blooper 0-679-88962-0 • GLB: 0-679-98962-5The Berenstain Bears and the Blame Game 0-679-88743-1The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail 0-394-89132-5The Berenstain Bears and the Bully 0-679-84805-3The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings 0-679-87707-X • GLB: 0-679-97707-4The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense 0-375-81124-9 • GLB: 0-375-91124-3The Berenstain Bears Don’t Pollute (Anymore) 0-679-82351-4The Berenstain Bears and the Double Dare 0-394-89748-XThe Berenstain Bears and the Ghost of the Forest 0-394-80565-8The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster 0-679-86434-2The Berenstain Bears and the Excuse Note 0-375-81125-7 • GLB: 0-375-91125-1The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners 0-394-87333-5The Berenstain Bears’ Funny Valentine 0-375-81126-5 • GLB: 0-375-91126-XThe Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight 0-394-85132-3The Berenstain Bears Get Stage Fright 0-394-87337-8The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies 0-394-80566-6The Berenstain Bears Get Their Kicks 0-679-88955-8 • GLB: 0-679-98955-2The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team 0-394-87338-6The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp 0-394-85131-5The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor 0-394-84835-7 • GLB: 0-394-94835-1The Berenstain Bears Go to School 0-394-83736-3 • GLB: 0-394-93736-8The Berenstain Bears and the Homework Hassle

0-679-88744-X • GLB: 0-679-98744-4 The Berenstain Bears in the Dark 0-394-85443-8The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd 0-394-83013-XThe Berenstain Bears Lend a Helping Hand 0-679-88956-6 The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers 0-394-87334-3 • GLB: 0-394-97334-8The Berenstain Bears’ Mad, Mad, Mad Toy Craze 0-679-88958-2The Berenstain Bears and Mama’s New Job 0-394-86881-1The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear 0-394-86880-3The Berenstain and the Messy Room 0-394-85639-2 • 0-394-95639-7The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Honey 0-394-89133-3The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Watermelon Money

0-394-89133-3 • GLB: 0-679-99230-8The Berenstain Bears and Moving Day 0-394-84838-1 • GLB: 0-394-94838-6The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby 0-394-82908-5The Berenstain Bears’ New Neighbors 0-679-86435-0 • GLB: 0-679-96435-5The Berenstain Bears: No Girls Allowed 0-394-87331-9 • GLB: 0-394-97331-3The Berenstain Bears and Papa’s Day Surprise

0-375-91129-4 • GLB: 0-375-91129-4The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin 0-679-808477-7The Berenstain Bears: Ready, Get Set, Go! 0-394-80564-XThe Berenstain Bears and the Real Easter Eggs

0-375-81133-8 • GLB: 0-375-91133-2The Berenstain Bears’ Report Card Trouble

0-375-81127-3 • GLB: 0-375-91127-8The Berenstain Bears and the Sitter 0-394-84837-3The Berenstain Bears and the Slumber Party 0-679-80419-6The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need

0-679-88957-4 • GLB: 0-679-98957-9The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Birthday 0-394-87332-7The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food

0-394-8721-7 • GLB: 0-394-97217-1The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Pressure 0-679-83671-3The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing 0-679-87706-1 • GLB: 0-679-97706-6The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV 0-394-86570-7The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation 0-394-83014-8The Berenstain Bears:Trick or Treat 0-679-80091-3The Berenstain Bears and the Truth 0-394-85640-6The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble at School 0-394-87336-XThe Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends 0-394-87339-4The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Grownups 0-679-83000-6The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money 0-394-85917-0The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Pets 0-679-80848-5The Berenstain Bears and the Week at Grandma’s 0-394-87335-1The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist 0394-84836-5 • GLB: 0-394-94836-XThe Birds, the Bees, and the Berenstain Bears 0-679-88959-0 • GLB: 0-679-98959-5

The Berenstain Bears have something for older readers, too!

The Berenstain Bears and the Dress Code 0-679-86665-5The Berenstain Bears and the New Girl in Town 0-679-83613-6The Berenstain Bears and No Guns Allowed 0-679-88953-1 • GLB: 0-679-98953-6The Berenstain Bears and the Red-Handed Thief 0-679-84033-8The Berenstain Bears and the School Scandal Sheet 0-679-85812-1The Berenstain Bears and the Wheelchair Commando 0-679-84034-6

The Berenstain Bears have leveled readers!

The Berenstain Bears Step into Reading BooksStep 1/Pre K–KThe Berenstain Bears’ Big Bear, Small Bear 0-679-88717-2 • GLB: 0-679-98717-7The Berenstain Bears Go In and Out 0-679-89225-7 • GLB: 0-679-99225-1The Berenstain Bears Go Up and Down 0-679-88720-2 • GLB:0-679-98720-7The Berenstain Bears and the House of Mirrors

0-679-89226-5 • GLB: 0-679-99226-X

Step 2/Pre K–Grade 1The Berenstain Bears by the Sea 0-679-88719-9 • GLB: 0-679-98719-3The Berenstain Bears Catch the Bus 0-679-89227-3 • GLB:0-679-99227-8

Step 3/Grades 1–3The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Watermelon Money

0-679-89230-3 • GLB: 0-679-99230-8The Berenstain Bears and the Tic-Tac-Toe Mystery

0-679-89229-X • GLB: 0-679-99229-4

Step 4/Grades 2–3The Berenstain Bears and the Escape of the Bogg Brothers

0-679-89228-1 • GLB: 0-679-99228-6

Discover the lives of Stan and Jan and how the Berenstain Bears beganDown a Sunny Dirt Road 0-375-81403-5 • GLB: 0-375-91403-X

About the AuthorsStan and Jan Berenstain wereboth born in 1923 in Philadelphia.They didn’t know each other as children, but met later at thePhiladelphia College of Art.Theyliked each other right away, and

found out that they both enjoyed the same kinds of books,plays, music, and art. During World War II, Stan was a medical assistant in the Army, and Jan worked in an airplanefactory.When the war was over, they got married and beganto work together as artists and writers, primarily drawingcartoons for popular magazines.After having their two sons,Leo and Michael, the Berenstains decided to write somefunny children’s books that their children and other childrencould read and enjoy.Their first published children’s bookwas called The Big Honey Hunt. It was about a family ofbears, who later became known as the Berenstain Bears.

Over 50 children’s books later, Stan and Jan still plan all oftheir books together—both write the stories, and bothdraw the pictures.They live outside of Philadelphia in thecountry.

For more on the Berenstain Bears, visit www.randomhouse.com/kids/berenstainbears

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